Inspired by a listener question from travel advisor Megan Vatnsdal, owner of Onyx & Evergreen Travel, Trade Secrets explores what’s going on with travel agency bookings. Join co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada in conversation with Cruise Planners’ Michelle Fee and Oasis Travel Network’s Ryan Ranahan, who offer a birds-eye view of what their advisors are experiencing right now, for the rest of the year and even into 2027 and 2028.

This episode was sponsored by National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions.

Further resources

Cruise Planners

Oasis Travel Network

Ryan Ranahan on LinkedIn

Need advice?

Email us: tradesecrets@travelweekly.com 

 

Theme song:

Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inspired by a listener question from travel advisor Megan Vatnsdal, owner of Onyx &amp; Evergreen Travel, Trade Secrets explores what&rsquo;s going on with travel agency bookings. Join co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada in conversation with Cruise Planners&rsquo; Michelle Fee and Oasis Travel Network&rsquo;s Ryan Ranahan, who offer a birds-eye view of what their advisors are experiencing right now, for the rest of the year and even into 2027 and 2028.
This episode was sponsored by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.expeditions.com/">National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions</a>.
<hr>
Further resources
<a href="https://www.cruiseplannersfranchise.com/">Cruise Planners</a>
<a href="https://www.oasistravelnetwork.com">Oasis Travel Network</a>
Ryan Ranahan on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-ranahan-3b57988/">LinkedIn</a>
<hr>
Need advice?
Email us: <a href="mailto:tradesecrets@travelweekly.com">tradesecrets@travelweekly.com </a>
&nbsp;
Theme song:
Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
&nbsp;
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Trade Secrets, a podcast from the editors of Travel Weekly, where travel advisors ask -- and answer -- questions. On each podcast, our editors will ask a veteran travel advisor to join them and field listeners’ questions. Topics will range from business advice to industry trends, history and more — as long as it’s travel-related, we want to address it! Find Trade Secrets wherever you get your podcasts, or at travelweekly.com/podcasts.

ABOUT YOUR HOSTS:

Jamie Biesiada is a senior editor with Travel Weekly. She is an award-winning journalist, including being named the American Society of Travel Advisors’ 2019 Travel Journalist of the Year. Her roots are in community journalism, where she was the editor of several local newspapers and a regional entertainment magazine.

Emma Weissmann brings more than a decade of reporting and editing experience to her role as Features Editor at Travel Weekly, where she covers destinations and retail travel and contributes to social media, podcast and multimedia initiatives. Before joining Travel Weekly, Emma served as Editor-in-Chief of AGENTatHOME and Executive Editor of TravelAge West and hosted the Humans of Travel podcast. She also helped create and produce the Future Leaders in Travel event for early-career travel advisors.


Theme song:
Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information

Welcome to Trade Secrets, a podcast from the editors of Travel Weekly, where travel advisors ask -- and answer -- questions. On each podcast, our editors will ask a veteran travel advisor to join them and field listeners&rsquo; questions. Topics will range from business advice to industry trends, history and more &mdash; as long as it&rsquo;s travel-related, we want to address it! Find Trade Secrets wherever you get your podcasts, or at <a href="http://travelweekly.com/podcasts">travelweekly.com/podcasts</a>.
<hr>
ABOUT YOUR HOSTS:
Jamie Biesiada is a senior editor with Travel Weekly. She is an award-winning journalist, including being named the American Society of Travel Advisors&rsquo; 2019 Travel Journalist of the Year. Her roots are in community journalism, where she was the editor of several local newspapers and a regional entertainment magazine.
Emma Weissmann brings more than a decade of reporting and editing experience to her role as Features Editor at Travel Weekly, where she covers destinations and retail travel and contributes to social media, podcast and multimedia initiatives. Before joining Travel Weekly, Emma served as Editor-in-Chief of AGENTatHOME and Executive Editor of TravelAge West and hosted the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/Podcasts/Humans-of-travel">Humans of Travel</a> podcast. She also helped create and produce the Future Leaders in Travel event for early-career travel advisors.
<hr>
 Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: <a href="https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop">https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop</a> License: <a href="https://filmmusic.io/standard-license">https://filmmusic.io/standard-license</a>
<hr>
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information

Trade Secrets Podcast

Trade Secrets

Are travel bookings slowing down right now? (feat. Michelle Fee and Ryan Ranahan)

The world of entertainment travel can be similar to both luxury leisure and corporate travel, but don’t be fooled: it’s really a beast of its own. This week on Trade Secrets, delve into the world of entertainment travel and everything it entails, from multimillion-dollar contracts and high security clearances to catering to multi-page hotel riders and booking transfers for dogs. Co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada are joined by MD Travel Services’ Michael Dovey, Travel Princess Inc.’s Wendy Nyi-Baylock and ALTx Collective’s Corey Slee, all advisors under Global Travel Collection’s entertainment division. This episode was recorded during GTC’s Arrive conference in Austin in June.

This episode was sponsored by National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions. 

Further resources

ALTx Collective on Instagram

Wendy Nyi-Baylock and Travel Princess Inc. on Instagram

MD Travel Services on the web and Instagram

Need advice?

Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098

Email us: tradesecrets@travelweekly.com 

 

Theme song:

Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The world of entertainment travel can be similar to both luxury leisure and corporate travel, but don&rsquo;t be fooled: it&rsquo;s really a beast of its own. This week on Trade Secrets, delve into the world of entertainment travel and everything it entails, from multimillion-dollar contracts and high security clearances to catering to multi-page hotel riders and booking transfers for dogs. Co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada are joined by MD Travel Services&rsquo; Michael Dovey, Travel Princess Inc.&rsquo;s Wendy Nyi-Baylock and ALTx Collective&rsquo;s Corey Slee, all advisors under Global Travel Collection&rsquo;s entertainment division. This episode was recorded during GTC&rsquo;s Arrive conference in Austin in June.
This episode was sponsored by <a href="https://www.expeditions.com/">National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions</a>.&nbsp;
<hr>
Further resources
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/altxcollective">ALTx Collective</a> on Instagram
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/travelprincess212/">Wendy Nyi-Baylock</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/travelprincessinc">Travel Princess Inc.</a> on Instagram
MD Travel Services <a href="https://www.mdtravelservices.com/">on the web</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mdtravelltd/">Instagram</a>
<hr>
Need advice?
Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098
Email us: <a href="mailto:tradesecrets@travelweekly.com">tradesecrets@travelweekly.com </a>
&nbsp;
Theme song:
Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
&nbsp;
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When the answer is never ‘no’: The world of entertainment travel (Global Travel Collection, part 2)

In this episode of Trade Secrets, recorded in person at Global Travel Collection’s Arrive conference at the Fairmont Austin in June, get an update on all things GTC from president Angie Licea. From the labor of (mostly) love that was the GTC brand unification, uniting several agencies that sell $2.4 billion annually, to the Legacy in Motion program, which helps advisors both grow and sell their businesses, Licea offers an inside look at everything going on at the New York-based host agency. Then, she takes on several listener questions, ranging from breaking into ultra-high-net-worth travel to top holiday destinations. And for those who haven’t seen the ending of “Survivor 50,” beware of a spoiler at the 54:25 mark.

This is the first part in a two-part series of episodes recorded at Arrive. In two weeks, tune in for an episode all about entertainment travel.

This episode was sponsored by Brendan Vacations. 

Further resources

Global Travel Collection on the web

Mentioned in this episode:
Austin’s Congress Avenue Bridge Bats

The latest from GTC:
Brand unification
TV show “1st Look Presents – Extra Mile Club”
Legacy in Motion program
Circle program
New-to-industry training program

Need advice?

Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098

Email us: tradesecrets@travelweekly.com 

 

Theme song:

Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Trade Secrets, recorded in person at Global Travel Collection&rsquo;s Arrive conference at the Fairmont Austin in June, get an update on all things GTC from president Angie Licea. From the labor of (mostly) love that was the GTC brand unification, uniting several agencies that sell $2.4 billion annually, to the Legacy in Motion program, which helps advisors both grow and sell their businesses, Licea offers an inside look at everything going on at the New York-based host agency. Then, she takes on several listener questions, ranging from breaking into ultra-high-net-worth travel to top holiday destinations. And for those who haven&rsquo;t seen the ending of &ldquo;Survivor 50,&rdquo; beware of a spoiler at the 54:25 mark.
This is the first part in a two-part series of episodes recorded at Arrive. In two weeks, tune in for an episode all about entertainment travel.
This episode was sponsored by <a href="https://www.brendanvacations.com/en-us/travel-advisors">Brendan Vacations</a>.&nbsp;
<hr>
Further resources
Global Travel Collection <a href="globaltravelcollection.com">on the web</a>
Mentioned in this episode:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Austin&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.austinbats.org/">Congress Avenue Bridge Bats</a></li>
</ul>
The latest from GTC:
<ul>
<ul></ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Global-Travel-Collection-unifies-legacy-brands">Brand unification</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Extra-Mile-Club-showcases-value-travel-advisors">TV show &ldquo;1st Look Presents &ndash; Extra Mile Club&rdquo;</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/GTC-Legacy-in-Motion-helps-advisors-future-plans">Legacy in Motion program</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Global-Travel-Collection-grows-advisor-recognition-program">Circle program</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Global-Travel-Collection-to-offer-training-for-new-advisors">New-to-industry training program</a></li>
</ul>
<hr>
Need advice?
Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098
Email us: <a href="mailto:tradesecrets@travelweekly.com">tradesecrets@travelweekly.com </a>
&nbsp;
Theme song:
Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
&nbsp;
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An inside look at Global Travel Collection, the $2.4 billion powerhouse host agency (part 1, feat. Angie Licea)

Six months into the year, Trade Secrets co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada look at the trends dominating 2026 so far, including shorter booking windows, a younger demographic for all-inclusives and the state of domestic travel. Plus, the hosts share a sneak peek at what’s in store for the rest of season seven.

This episode was sponsored by Brendan Vacations. 

Further resources

The Travel Weekly team

Articles mentioned in this episode:
Travel Weekly’s top stories in the last six months:
Updated: U.S. issues an alert urging caution worldwide for American travelers
Mexico updates: Embassy says cities ‘returned to normal;’ advisors help clients
Norwegian Cruise Line eliminates NCFs, with no strings attached
U.S. considers revised approach to social media screening of foreign travelers
Advisors predict Egypt tourism will suffer due to mixed messages on safety
From Travel Weekly, Global unrest is now clients’ No. 1 concern, travel advisors say
From TravelAge West, Five forces affecting travel choices — including more trust in AI bookings
From Travel Weekly, Travel agencies report a tale of two booking patterns

Need advice?

Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098

Email us: tradesecrets@travelweekly.com 

 

Theme song:

Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Six months into the year, Trade Secrets co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada look at the trends dominating 2026 so far, including shorter booking windows, a younger demographic for all-inclusives and the state of domestic travel. Plus, the hosts share a sneak peek at what&rsquo;s in store for the rest of season seven.
This episode was sponsored by <a href="https://www.brendanvacations.com/en-us/travel-advisors">Brendan Vacations</a>.&nbsp;
<hr>
Further resources
<a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Contact-Us">The Travel Weekly team</a>
Articles mentioned in this episode:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Travel Weekly&rsquo;s top stories in the last six months:</li>
<ul>
<li aria-level="2"><a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Middle-East-Africa-Travel/us-issues-caution-alert-for-american-travelers">Updated: U.S. issues an alert urging caution worldwide for American travelers</a></li>
<li aria-level="2"><a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Mexico-Travel/Americans-shelter-in-place-in-Puerto-Vallarta-embassy-alert">Mexico updates: Embassy says cities &lsquo;returned to normal;&rsquo; advisors help clients</a></li>
<li aria-level="2"><a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Norwegian-Cruise-Line-eliminates-NCFs">Norwegian Cruise Line eliminates NCFs, with no strings attached</a></li>
<li aria-level="2"><a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Government/US-considers-revised-social-media-screening">U.S. considers revised approach to social media screening of foreign travelers</a></li>
<li aria-level="2"><a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Middle-East-Africa-Travel/travel-to-egypt-following-iran-war-outbreak">Advisors predict Egypt tourism will suffer due to mixed messages on safety</a></li>
</ul>
<li aria-level="1">From Travel Weekly, <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Global-unrest-is-now-clients-No-1-concern">Global unrest is now clients&rsquo; No. 1 concern, travel advisors say</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">From TravelAge West, <a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/Industry-Insight/Business-Features/key-forces-influencing-travel-choices">Five forces affecting travel choices &mdash; including more trust in AI bookings</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">From Travel Weekly, <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/A-tale-of-two-booking-patterns-for-travel-advisors">Travel agencies report a tale of two booking patterns</a></li>
</ul>
<hr>
Need advice?
Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098
Email us: <a href="mailto:tradesecrets@travelweekly.com">tradesecrets@travelweekly.com </a>
&nbsp;
Theme song:
Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
&nbsp;
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are travel bookings slowing down right now? (feat. Michelle Fee and Ryan Ranahan)

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